Staff Pick

Road Trip Denver to Colorado Springs – Pikes Peak & Garden of the Gods

Denver Colorado Springs
115
km
1h30
drive
All seasons
season

The Itinerary

90 minutes south of Denver, Colorado Springs combines two of Colorado's most spectacular sites: Pikes Peak (4,302 m, one of the most accessible "14ers") and the Garden of the Gods, a red rock garden designated a National Natural Landmark.

Pikes Peak — which inspired Katharine Lee Bates' 1893 anthem "America the Beautiful" — can be climbed by car (Pikes Peak Highway, 31 km of switchbacks, toll), by foot (Barr Trail, 21 km extreme), or by cog railway (Cog Railway from Manitou Springs, the world's highest). The summit donuts — a unique high-altitude recipe — are a tradition.

Garden of the Gods is entirely free: 20 km of trails among 100 m red sandstone formations, including the famous Balanced Rock and Kissing Camels. Nearby, Manitou Springs with its mineral springs, Manitou Cliff Dwellings (prehistoric Native American homes) and Old Colorado City's historic district round out the trip.

Points of Interest

  • ✦
    Pikes Peak
    4,302 m, toll highway, Cog Railway, summit donuts.
  • ✦
    Garden of the Gods
    Free red sandstone formations, Balanced Rock, Kissing Camels.
  • ✦
    Manitou Springs
    Mineral springs, resort town, Cog Railway start.
  • ✦
    Air Force Academy
    17-spire chapel, public tours.
Practical info
  • Departure Denver
  • Destination Colorado Springs
  • Distance 115 km
  • Duration 1h30
  • Category Medium (100–250 km)
  • Best season All seasons
Themes
mountain 14er red-rocks Family colorado train rockies scenic

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